Before & After: A Bold His and Hers Office Compromise

From Veerta: I am an Interior Designer with my own company, Motiani Design, but this project is a little more special to me, because it's actually my home. I moved in with my boyfriend about six months ago, and naturally of course, we immediately started having decor battles! We needed to convert a portion of HIS penthouse bachelor pad in Marina Del Rey to OUR "his and hers home office” ASAP.

(Image credit: Tessa Neustadt )

Working with your boyfriend can be extremely challenging, especially being a designer... Here are some of the challenges I had to conquer:

1. I needed a home office ASAP so I can continue to focus on all my clients in an organized fashion.

2. Apparently, I think every idea of mine needs to be executed my way or the highway, and he thinks I need to learn how to "compromise."

3. Budget! He doesn't see the need to spend lavishly to get a beautiful design. While I totally agree, his definition of "lavish" and mine are quite different.

(Image credit: Tessa Neustadt )

In the end I did compromise, and I think it shows in the best way possible! We used resources like IKEA, West elm, Home Depot, Wayfair, Z Gallerie and Pottery Barn to stay on budget and I provided him several options allowing him to weigh in on his top choices. (I pretty much treated him like a VIP client without getting paid might I add!)

Dave (my amazing boyfriend) and I live on the marina, right on the water. Our view is of the marina and sailboats, so it was pretty easy to gather inspiration. We went with a blue and white theme with pops of brass. I chose Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue to slather on the walls to create that bold yet calming backdrop and then added simple, clean white pieces like the bookcase and cabinets to give it that stark contrast. My favorite piece is the Turkish rug that is so comfy and sooo rich in color (and you won't even believe the price — top secret source revealed: Home Depot!!)

(Image credit: Tessa Neustadt )

Our space was pretty great, it was a large spare den. I wanted the layout to have a "his and hers feel." I wanted separation yet togetherness. I faced the desks together so we can see each other but feel like we have privacy of our own side. Now Dave and I work opposite each other in style and comfort, and we absolutely love it!